Buon Ferragosto

Buon Ferragosto! Today, August 15th, was an Italian holiday. Yup, it’s a Tuesday 😂 I had a few curiosities:

1. my iCal shows Italian holidays but lists two for today. Was this a typo?

2. No? So what’s “Ferragosto” and what’s “Assunzione di Maria?

3. Do either of these have a connection with “it’s August they might be on holiday”

There ARE two holidays celebrated on the same day! Once I started digging I went down some rabbit holes where history, religion, and culture all got pretty cosy. Aug 15 is Ferragosto which has roots in Ancient Rome and Assumption which is Catholic and they’ve morphed into a cultural tradition that ranges from a day to a month of holiday. 

In 18 BC emperor Augustus created a public celebration called the Feriae Augusti which literally translates to August Celebrations. He was the adopted son of Julius Caesar and the founder of the Roman Empire as we know it. The celebration was generally on the first of the month, which was not yet known as August but rather Sextilus. The month would be renamed August ten years later and obviously in honour of the emperor. 

The Ferragosto, as it became known, was a time off from work to rest after working in the crazy summer heat. Empire paid entertainment would be held and many employers paid their people anyway. Thus the popularity of the holiday and a brilliant way to keep the masses happy. Everyone likes a paid day(s)/week/month off!

Sure, but I bet no one laying that marble worked in August! 

Always fascinating is how the current seat of the Catholic Church lies in a place that has such strong polytheistic roots. As the Empire transitioned from the “old gods to the new God” many Roman traditions were adapted to reflect changes in society. And to keep people loyal. (Goodness I love social history!) A day of rest that could be used as a day of worship is a pillar of Catholicism. Ferragosto was moved two weeks in the calendar to coincide with Assunzione di Maria. 

I ate anguria 🍉 for dinner tonight. Seemed appropriate. 

Enter the religious connection. This move of Ferragosto on the calendar put it on the same day as Assumption - the day in the Bible when Mary’s body and soul entered Heaven after her death. Previously this specific moment in the Bible wasn’t celebrated by any public recognition. However the religious Assunzione quickly became the focus of the August rest and Ferragosto faded. 

Peter Paul Rubens 17th century depiction of Mary’s assumption to Heaven. The non religious folk would say “ascension” 

Enter Mussolini. In an effort to have Italians feel unified under the fascist regime he encouraged travel to the country’s most historical sites. Unity in shared history and “othering” of those who don’t share that history. Classic fascism. With these sites requiring a lot of travel, Mussolini encouraged multiple days off and employers often acquiesced. 

So that’s the Ancient Roman connection. And the Catholic. With a side of Second World War. What about today? 

In Pozzuoli there’s a Ferragosto tradition of people playing capture the flag on a soapy pole 😂 I’m sure THIS is what Augustus, the Virgin Mary, or Mussolini for that matter, envisioned. I watched it live on local streaming and it was so fun! 

Last year we tried to get our official passport and travel visa paperwork done in August. Everyone laughed at us and said “In August? Good luck. Italy shuts down in August.” Huh? They were right. Now we are seeing it from within the country. The tradition of a day off for rest, born out of the Roman Empire, evolved into a day of reflection and prayer, transitioned into days of cultural appreciation, then morphed into taking the month off 😂

Today, you see signs on businesses that say “chiusa per ferie” or closed for time off. They range from just Aug 15th to 2-3 weeks during August. Italians use this time to go to the beach or the mountains and focus on family and life. Just not work. It’s beautiful in so many ways although frustrating if you’re trying to be productive or be a good little consumer or simply pay a bill. 

Alaska has combat fishing. Italy has combat beach Ferragosto-ing 😲

This evening on our way home from Olaf’s evening passeggiata we ran into our neighbours who have been so welcoming to us despite the significant language barrier. I immediately said “BUON FERRAGOSTO!” And they lit up and I even got the Italian hand gesture for “very good.” She introduced her kids and grandkids who were all visiting for Ferragosto. They were going on their evening passeggiata. She owns a local clothing store and I know she’s closed for the next week. She gets to spend time with her family. And rest. A perfect culmination of more than 2000 years of redefining tradition. 

Olaf isn’t too startled by the fireworks and can actually see them on our terrace instead of just hear them. 

It’s 11:45p and many families are out on their Ferragosto passeggiata. The sound of laughter and heated Italian conversation can be heard from the condos around us  


Buon Ferragosto from our home away from home to you! May you find rest in the coming weeks. Especially for my education family who struggle to rest and find family time with the start of the school year.